Attacker One of Three Players across Major League Soccer Selected in Today’s Draft

NEW YORK / SANDY, Utah (Monday, December 5, 2011) – Major League Soccer today conducted the Stage 1 Draft of the 2011 Re-Entry Process, which included Chivas USA’sselection of Real Salt Lake midfielder Arturo Alvarez. Two other clubs also made selections from the list of eligible players, with the New England Revolution taking Toronto FC midfielder Danleigh Borman and the Columbus Crew picking defender Carlos Mendes from the New York Red Bulls.

As Alvarez was out of contract, MLS will now extend a Bona Fide Offer to the 26-year-old attacker to play for Chivas USA. Players that were out of contract may either accept or reject the Bona Fide Offer. Should a player reject the offer, the drafting club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS.

"We would like to thank Arturo for his contributions to Real Salt Lake across the last year," said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. "Arturo was a first-class individual throughout his short stay with the club and we wish him all the best as he continues his career with Chivas USA."

Alvarez departs the Wasatch Front after only one season with Real Salt Lake, during which the Houston native started half of his 16 league appearances and collected one assist in 724 minutes of regular season action. In addition, Alvarez added one assist in four CONCACAF Champions League substitute appearances last spring (52 minutes), his helper coming on Javier Morales’ memorable equalizer in a 2-2 draw in Leg One of the Championship series against Monterrey. RSL initially acquired the El Salvadoran international last November in a trade with the Portland Timbers shortly after the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft.

Players not selected today are eligible for the Stage 2 Draft, which will take place next Monday, December 12. With Alvarez being selected in the Stage 1 Draft and MF Jean Alexandre being dealt to the San Jose Earthquakes last Friday, Real Salt Lake now has four players – MF Nelson González, DF Rauwshan McKenzie, DF Blake Wagner and MF Andy Williams – eligible for selection in next Monday’s Stage 2 Draft, which will take place via teleconference with all 19 clubs represented. Those four players will have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and re-sign with Real Salt Lake through 3:00 p.m. MT this Friday, Dec. 9.

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 Drafts are conducted in the same order as the traditional Waiver Draft, with the Montreal Impact selecting 19th. CLICK HERE for a Re-Entry Process Information and Player Eligibility Rules.